Starbucks and Polygon are teaming up to deliver a rewards program for consumers that allows them various benefits, exclusive sales, and experiences via collectible NFTs. Coined Starbucks Odyssey, the so-called "revolutionary Web3 experience," will bridge Starbucks coffee lovers into the digital realm through the integration of Polygon's sophisticated blockchain platform.
The coffee brewing firm announced the move on its internal blog today, Sept 12, highlighting that it will only be available for US-based customers and employees currently. Starbuck did not detail if additional territories would be added to the program but did explain that interested users can join a waitlist today to be among the first to gain access to Starbuck Odyssey.
Polygon, formerly known as MATIC, has been among the most forward-thinking crypto and digital asset firms in its attempts to leverage Web3 ideals, play-to-earn gaming, and metaverse concepts. Its current CEO, Ryan Wyatt, left YouTube Gaming in Feb. and has since led Polygon in a new direction toward proper scaling and security in a time now considered a crypto winter.
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The blockchain technology company released its own blog post on the partnership, denoting specific "coffee experiences" as being a major backbone of the Starbucks loyalty program. These include exclusive events, both digital and in-person, as well as artist collaborations, unique merchandise, and much more.
Starbucks Odyssey members can simply log into the application, and engage with so-called "journeys," which are essentially challenges and on-chain games, to win a digital collectible "journey stamp," i.e., an NFT, for said loyalty rewards. It acts similarly to simply buying coffee, only now set on a digital forum and engaged through Web3 activities.
Starbucks' executive vice president, Brady Brewer, voiced excitement about the new loyalty program, calling it "uniquely Starbucks." He adds:
"By integrating into the Starbucks Rewards ecosystem and grounding the experience in coffee, connection, and community, we are entering the Web3 space differently than any other brand, while deepening our members' connection to Starbucks. Our vision is to create a place where our digital community can come together over coffee, engage in immersive experiences, and celebrate the heritage and future of Starbucks."
Each reward, or NFT stamp, will also have its own specified value based solely on rarity. They can even be bought and sold across the integrated marketplace, allotting points and access to experiences through collecting. These experiences range from a "virtual espresso martini-making class" to "trips to Starbucks Hacienda Alsacia coffee farm in Costa Rica."
Starbucks has been floating NFT considerations since April, necessitating a new blend of blockchain and consumer interaction. It will be interesting to see how the new rewards program works out and finds an apt way of bridging the coffee experience into the Web3 ecosystem. Those interested in joining Starbucks Odyssey can enter the waitlist here.
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